These have been whirlwind kind of days at our little St. Ann parish. After months of preparation by our co-chairs of the Sponsor’s Dinner Dance, Kay Dieckmann and Cheri Smith and their fine tuned crew of volunteers, we had a delightful evening celebrating the gifts and generosity of so many parishioners, alumni and supporters of ‘the Rock of Normandy.’ This year marked forty years worth of people stepping up to the plate with their time, talent and treasure to keep the mission of the parish alive and growing.

In a conversation I had that evening, an alumni commented: “It is amazing to see how much impact a small, dedicated group of volunteers continues to have on this parish. I bet you could trace a ‘core’ group of volunteers through out the entire history of this parish. Though the names will have changed through the decades, there are always a small number of families and individuals who truly are the pillars of this parish. It is such an amazing thing to see that kind of continuity of spirit, and to see how God uses people in each generation.” To that truth I could only say one thing: “Amen”.

Thanks to all who made the evening such a success. The numbers are amazing. As of this moment, Eileen tells me we made $65,329.84. What a huge gift to the future of our school and parish community. THANKS ONE AND ALL!!!

This past weekend, found a different crew of dedicated parishioners creating another ‘event’ for the parish. Thanks to Michelle Haley who spearheaded the Parish and School Picnic on Friday and Saturday of this weekend. I have to admit, I was a bit leery about being able to afford the rides (thank you parents and grandparents!), but due to much hard work by Michelle’s committee, they were able to turn a profit from the picnic for the parish as well. (~ $2,300…)

Thanks to Michelle and Mark Haley, Katie Andrews, Robin Provost, Carrie Simms, and the rest of the committee for all their hard work and energy. Thanks to all who braved the dunking booth for what was a chilly bath. Thanks to the Knights of Columbus for the ice cream booth, SACPO for helping to underwrite the costs of the picnic, Norm Jacob and Bruce Gardiner who kept night vigil on the grounds making sure that nothing ‘walked away’, to the band “No Exit” for providing entertainment, to the Men’s club for their always succulent BBQ and for all who helped make the weekend such a gift for our parish community.

You may know the Knights of Columbus for their tootsie roll drive for the mentally handicapped or their roses for life or the carnations they offer on Mothers Day. At St. Ann, you also know them as the folks who are selling the scrip coupons in the back of church, or ice cream at the parish picnic. What you do not see is their charitable nature. Quietly, behind the scenes, they do a lot to help this parish.

I want to thank them in your name for their recent generosity to the parish. They provided the stipend we gave to Mrs. Heather Vento who spoke to our parents as a part of our Family Life program. They helped defray the costs of a hymnal for the children – replacing the “Singing our Faith” with “Choose Christ”. They are helping to subsidize the upcoming Confirmation Retreat for our 7th and 8th grade students preparing for the sacrament. And like many of you, they are also a Sponsor to the St. Ann Dinner Dance. In your name, let me say a heartfelt THANK YOU from a grateful parish…

Bob Beckring and I attended an orientation meeting for the upcoming Annual Catholic Appeal on Tuesday night. Though it seems like we just finished last year’s appeal (that was in August) and recently completed the Visitation Drive, as well as the hugely successful Faith for the Future Campaign (thanks again for your amazing generosity), on a parish level, we begin planning for the appeal which begins in about a month. The success of the appeal is only brought about through prayer. This year’s theme is “Do this in memory of me.” In the video Archbishop Carlson said: If we pray about it, we are asking God: “What does God want to do in the world through me?” If we listen for the response, then how can the appeal not succeed – because we’re doing what God wants us to do.”

So I ask you to begin to pray about this year’s appeal. Here is the ‘official prayer’ of the ACA..

Lord God,

We thank you for the untold blessings You have bestowed upon us. We offer these blessings back to you.We lay before You the labors and fruits of the Annual Catholic Appeal. We pray that our sole desire be to serve Your holy will.United as Catholics, let us be remindedof our baptismal call to follow our Lord Jesus Christ in His service to others.We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen